That’s an amazing sounding banjo.

Thanks very much, Martyjoe. It's a Goodtime.

Gorgeous! My head thinks it's listening to a kora. How in the world are you making it sound like that? And how are you playing it. I've never heard a banjo sound like that. Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing the uniqueness.

Wow, thanks Paul! My Goodtime is strung with Nylgut, and I’m using a hybrid 3-finger technique, with picks on my fingers (in this case modified Joel Hooks thimbles) that allow for both plucking up and striking down, but no pick on my thumb. This gives me a bit more flexibility with melodies, and pinches, but also easy downward brushes.

Thanks for your reply, Eric.

"Ghillie Dhu" and your other tunes (which I found via your BHO homepage), reveal your off-the-charts musical originality and expressiveness. Your composing skills are truly marvelous!

You are a rare bird, indeed! Thanks so much for sharing your inspiration. It certainly inspires me.

Highly original, the tune has both depth and charm. I had to listen twice so my brain could adjust to what I was hearing!
Excellent.

Another wow, thanks again Paul, and Laurence. Your kind words are wonderfully encouraging.

It's not the paintbrush, it's the artist.

Fantastic.

quote:

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Originally posted by reubenstump

It's not the paintbrush, it's the artist.

Fantastic.

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Speaking of artist and paintbrush, have you listened to Skimmington Ride, another masterful sound painting by Eric Field? 

Gentle, uplifting; there’s also a story here. What or who is the title referring to?

A skimmington ride is a folk custom in Europe and North America. It’s also called a charivari, chivaree, or shivaree. It’s a sort of loud, unruly parade, intended to draw attention to and shame a member (or members) of the community whose behaviour has been judged to be transgressive.

An effigy of the accused person, or even the actual person, is sometimes carried in the parade, hence the “ride”. A skimmington is a kind of large ladle, but I’m not sure if its use as a noisemaker when banged on a pot is the point, or if its potential use as a weapon is being alluded to. Maybe both. Anyway, the Wikipedia entry on the subject lists a few examples in literature and popular culture, but the only one I’m really familiar with is in The Mayor of Casterbridge, by Thomas Hardy.

A delight!

Thanks, Andy.

Regarding Janet’s question, sorry, I got sidetracked and misunderstood which tune she was referring to! Ghillie Dhu is a sort of forest spirit from the Scottish Highlands. He’s thought to be protective of the forest, as well as kind to children who have lost their way.